Page 47 of Steal a King (Five Kings 2)

“It’s true, she is Dixie’s replacement. The trouble is, as it’s a temporary position, I thought I’d take your advice and relieve some of the tension that’s been building. She’s an attractive diversion and so yes, I’m fucking my assistant for as long as she stays here. It’s convenient and makes the day more interesting, so does that answer your question?”

I hate every word that just came from my mouth because I meant none of them. I feel like a bastard even talking about her this way and as Adam grins and leers, “You have good taste, I may have been interested myself back in the day. God knows I’ve done the same thing myself on many occasions.”

Resisting the urge to blast that smirk off his face with my gun, I say tersely, “Anyway, what was so urgent you called this meeting?”

Suddenly, the mood changes and Adam looks worried, which unnerves me more than I let on.

He pushes his plate away and seems edgy and then lowers his voice to a whisper.

“The project is threatened.”

“What, Silver City?”

“Yes.”

“But why?” I’m surprised because Silver City is central to my plans going forward. As big as Disneyland, this place is set to be the home of gaming outside of Vegas. Condos, shops, casinos and hotels, all set around a town that will thrive. A mini state in itself, my life’s dream, and I plan on making it the most desirable place in the world to visit.

Adam looks worried. “I heard word that the markets edgy. Bill told me word on the street is it’s set up to fail. Investors are pulling out as the cancer spreads and there has been a few calls from the bank threatening to pull the plug unless we can turn the bad publicity into good.”

“The banks?” I stare at him incredulously because I fucking own those dirty bastards and they wouldn’t dare go against me.

Adam sighs. “I’m sorry, Lucas, I thought you should know. Things aren’t looking good and the market is jittery. Share prices are tumbling and we’re struggling.”

“Based on what?” I bring my fist crashing down on the table and Adam jumps. “Based on bad press and poisoned words. You know how this works; a few whispered lies and it costs millions. I thought you had contacts on Wall Street; that you had people on the stock exchange working to your benefit. Maybe you should call in a few favors because your whole empire could be about to crash and burn.”

His words fly around me like bullets from a gun. Each one causing multiple wounds in a fractured ego.

As his words find their target, I feel the fury burning inside as the repercussions of our conversation begin their fatal path.

Adam looks concerned as I growl, “This meeting has ended.”

“But…”

“Fuck off, Adam, this is in my hands now. Get back to work and do some digging. Find out who is badmouthing us and discover the weak link in our organization. Leave nothing untouched and report back every single fucking conversation you hear. If something or someone is set on bringing me down, they will pay dearly.”

Adam looks shit scared as he leaves the room and I’m not surprised. I rarely get angry, but when I do, the gambling world shakes in terror and the fault lines it creates reach far and wide.

As I reach for my cell, there’s only one number I need to call and he better have answers for me because if he’s not behind it, then we are all fucked.

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